Paine’s use of Nooj’s “weak points” — i.e. his pride — is fascinating, not least because it presents an idea of the Crusaders and Spira as another society regarding women as inferior.

The escape is very creative! The sense of suspense and Yevon hunting them helps move the story from thinking and talking to action/adventure. Nooj’s difficulties with his physical handicaps add an extra layer of danger and anxiety that definitely add to the tension of this and other chapters.

Nitpick: “damn’” with an apostrophe jumped out at me in this chapter and the prologue.

I think I detect kunstarniki’s writing in this one; her style’s a little more florid than your usual portrait of Nooj and Paine. Or else this is an older style of yours.